<p>Hi guys, I’m applying RD (obviously) and would really appreciate it if somebody could chance me. Also, I’m really tentative on writing the optional essay because frankly, I hate writing them, and I’ve heard that it’s a TRULY optional essay whose original purpose was to identify sexual orientation. I know that the prompt also mentions community and family/cultural background, but neither of those really resonates with me. So, if you see anything worth writing about in my information below, could you please comment? Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Also, if you need me to clarify anything, please do ask!</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Super Score: 2400; Second Sitting: 780 CR, 800 Math, 800 Writing; First Sitting: 2330 with 730 in Math
SAT II: 800 Math Level 2, 790 Chinese with Listening, 780 Chemistry, 760 Biology
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8082
Weighted GPA: 4.2273 (out of 4.0)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School technically does not rank, but am rank 12/176
AP (in order of year taken): (10th) Comp Sci (3), Chinese (5); (11th) Chemistry (4), Biology (4), APUSH (5), English Language (5), Music Theory (5), Calculus AB (5), Statistics (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Government, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics 1, AP English Literature, Web Page Design (non honor online course)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): California State-wide First Place Piano Competition (MTAC Piano Solo Competition), many other (non-first place) international piano competition awards as well; National AP Scholar, National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist </p>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Piano (12 years), Swimming (9 years), STEM Associate Director for Science (12th Grade)
Job/Work Experience: Paid Software Engineering Internship in the summer between 11th and 12th grade
Volunteer/Community service: Teaching Assistant at California State University - Long Beach’s American Language Institute (teach foreign students English), Volunteer Pianist at Local Senior Centers, Recruiter for CSU Long Beach at the American International Education Fair in China
Summer Activities: Internship (see above), Piano Competitions, Swim Meets
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (9): wrote about the piano and how the performance stage is where I am perfectly content, What Attracts You To Duke (8): wrote about how since my focus of piano was solely classical, Duke’s comprehensive music major will allow me to expand my horizons, etc.</p>
<p>Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Did not read, but probably good.</p>
<p>Other</p>
<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Music
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Public but requires testing to get in
Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $60,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A</p>
<p>Was deferred to Stanford.</p>